Teaching in NYC

New York has one of the most diverse populations in the world. More than 30 percent of New Yorkers are foreign-born and virtually every nationality is represented. The city is comprised of a collection of five culturally diverse and distinct boroughs, each with its own character and appeal.

The wealth of cultures in New York permeates everyday life and all of the city’s institutions. Food is no exception: Polish food in the East Village, Greek food in Astoria, Dominican food in Washington Heights, and soul food in Harlem are just a few of the dining options available in New York City.

The music scene is always thriving in New York, offering all the best artists and venues in hip hop, jazz, salsa, classical, rock, folk, and every other imaginable genre. Some corps members have even taken to performing live themselves. Sports fans have similarly plentiful options for year-round fulfillment in the city. The Mets, Yankees, Giants, Jets, Nets, Knicks, Liberty, Rangers, and various college sports teams all call New York home.

To cap it all off, there are over 500 museums, zoos, historical societies, arts organizations, and cultural attractions across the five boroughs of New York City, where corps members can take their students on field trips or visit with friends on weekends.

Becoming Certified to Teach

Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?

Certification can be obtained in two years through our partner university.

New York City corps members are certified to teach under a New York State Transitional B license, which requires them to be enrolled in a Master’s degree program throughout their two years as a corps member. In order to qualify for the Transitional B certificate, all corps members are required to:

Pass three initial New York State Teaching Certification Exam(s) for their license area

Take the GRE in order to be admitted into the certification Master’s degree program

Pass three New York State teaching workshops

Pass background checks through city and state fingerprinting

Complete an online application

Enroll in and maintain good academic standing in their master’s certification program as assigned by Teach For America

Based upon their teaching position and corresponding license area, corps members in New York City are required to attend their assigned partner graduate program. Teach For America has subsidized tuition partnerships with these programs to ensure the program costs are financially feasible for corps members. Our partnerships also ensure that corps members are receiving the necessary training and support to be superb educators.

New York City corps members can gain an Initial New York State teaching certificate at the end of their two-year commitment by meeting additional certification requirements and by being nominated by their graduate school partner.

In the winter of 2015 The New York State Legislature approved a law requiring all graduate students to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test, in order to enroll in graduate-level Teacher B preparation or educational leadership programs. Once a matriculate has confirmed their offer to join the New York City corps, the New York City regional team works closely with all matriculates to create a plan for taking and passing all enrollment and certification exams.

Yes. New York State requires all teachers to have or be in the process of obtaining a master’s, therefore, all New York City corps members must be enrolled in a master’s certification program throughout their two years of teaching. Our university partnership is with Relay Graduate School of Education

New York City corps member receive a discount on tuition for their master’s programs. Corps members who are eligible to receive an AmeriCorps stipend can expect to pay about $6,000 out-of-pocket over the course of their two years as a corps member.

Yes.

Partner Spotlight: Sunset Park Prep

partner-spotlight-sunset-park-prep

Sunset Park Prep is one of the many schools in Brooklyn where corps members and alumni teach. Led by a TFA alumna, Principal Jennifer Spalding (New York ’07) and TFA alumna, Assistant Principal Lauren Scott (New York ’07) it is an example of a great neighborhood school, where faculty and teachers support, inspire, and challenge the students!

Neighborhood Highlight

The borough of Brooklyn is home to more than 2.5 million people of every nationality, race, ethnicity, religion and socio-economic background imaginable. Generally more affordable than Manhattan, Brooklyn proudly offers numerous great neighborhoods for corps members to choose from. Many opt to live in the neighborhoods in which they teach, including Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Williamsburg. Outside of the classroom, there's never a shortage of things to do in Brooklyn. Highlights include Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), and countless galleries, music venues, farmer's markets, restaurants, and bars.

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You may be able to offset ongoing certification costs with an AmeriCorps education award. Learn more.